Stevia – stevia rebaudiana - sweet herb, honey leaf

Tuesday, July 1st, 2008

Stevia is a genus of about 150 species of herbs and shrubs in the sunflower family Asteraceae, This special herb is native South and Central America. Was once cultivated heavily by the Mayans and Incas. The leaves of these plants are intensely sweet and may be used in place of sugar. In recent years, there has been much interest in the medicinal and culinary uses of this herb.

The leaves contain a substance called steviocide that is 300 sweeter than sucrose. The dried and fresh leaves can be used in place of sugar. Stevia can be added to teas and coffees to sweeten, but just a leaf or two is all that is needed. Stevia extracts regardless of their intense sweet taste have negligible effect on blood glucose.

Dried and powdered stevia leaves can be purchased in virtually any shop in the US, Canada, Japan, and many other countries. However in the UK, shops are not allowed to sell it because it threatens the UK’s sugar beet industries. Stevia is recommended for diabetics since it has no calories and no effect on blood sugar levels. Stevia is non-toxic and it is without side effects. Stevia also has shown promise in medical research for treating conditions such as obesity and high blood pressure.

This herb is a short lived perennial growing to .5 meters. It requires a moist and a well drained soil. It is frost sensitive, so keep inside for the winter. It is best if you cut the flowering shoots right back and disallow the plant to flower since it will die soon afterwards. Feed regularly in spring and summer but sparingly in winter time

The Leaves can be eaten having a very sweet licorice-like taste. Dried and fresh leaves can be used in place of sugar for baking and making preserves to sweeten tea or coffee. The leaves may also be added to teas and coffees to sweeten and has zero calories.

stevia

everythyng herbal at herb-garden world